Baby Boomers U. S. (The Blog) |
| Playing catch up: Getting life back in order with your new job Posted: 23 Oct 2012 04:43 AM PDT Starting a new job is always a tricky transition. When you’ve been out of the workforce for a long time, perhaps as a stay-at-home parent whose children are now living on their own, things are very different. A new job usually requires several adjustments to your lifestyle. Since being out of the workforce, it's likely you've become set in a routine that may be hard to get out of. Here are some tips to start getting your life back in order before you start the new job. Waiting for your first paycheck You typically have to work at least two weeks before you receive your first paycheck. If you’ve been out of the workforce due to unemployment, stretching your last bit of money can be pretty difficult. Fortunately, services exist that will loan you some money while you wait. Payday loans are short-term and in amounts you will be able pay back quickly. If you’ve been living on one income and will now be living on two, look forward to catching up on bills and enjoying some financial freedom. Budget for future paychecks Now that you'll have steady income, you may be tempted to blow through some of your hard-earned money. There's nothing wrong with a little extra spending, but make sure to budget for costs you will have during that pay period. If your children have gone off to college, you will face expenses as they adjust to dorm or apartment life and biannual expenses like textbook purchases. Maybe you just need a new wardrobe as you prepare to rejoin the workforce. Several great budgeting programs are available online to get you started, including Mint.com and You Need A Budget. Discuss your finances with your family. Multiple people can access your budgeting program at once and can simplify spending decisions. Having everyone share the same expectations for how money is spent will help you stay accountable to one another, give you the peace of mind that you’ll make ends meet and even allow you to save money. Get the house in order Take some time to de-clutter and/or clean the house thoroughly before you go back to work. Coming home to a tidy house after that first day or week at a new job can keep you relaxed. Organize the kitchen or fridge so you know what dinners to expect too. You may even want to prepare meals ahead of time. Reorienting yourself to a new job will consume a lot of energy, so it’s good to have the housework done and off your mind before you head out the door on your first day. The schedule you’ve been used to, whether it was shuttling your kids around or a series of unstructured days during unemployment, may be tough to let go for the first few weeks. Get your body back on schedule No matter what your daily schedule has been like, you’re going to have to adjust to a more standard workday, e.g., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Establish some kind of morning routine, such as exercise, breakfast and a shower, that can help you feel less stressed as you get ready to leave for work. Getting your body on schedule before you start your job is important so you aren’t yawning through any onboarding or orientation. Though you’ll still experience an adjustment period, establishing healthy habits before you start your job will help. Although returning to work after a long hiatus can be daunting, you can prepare yourself with just a little practice. You may feel a little unsteady as you sort out your finances and return to a daily routine, but you’ll be soaring through the workday with ease in no time.
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